IF you build it, they will come.
The 9,450-hectare New Clark City (NCC) and its encompassing areas in the bucolic Bamban and Capas, Tarlac, are now in the convergence of developments that will give rise to industrial hubs, environmental-friendly sustainable metropolises, and tourism havens.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has indicated the NCC “is poised to become the next big metropolis.”
The area which is relatively landlocked with panoramic views of the Zambales ranges, is expected to have a central park with the sustainable business hubs. Currently, big ticket projects that will support tourism will rise at the NCC among them include the Hann Reserve, a 450-hectare luxury mountain resort that straddles along the CRK-NCC Roadway and its first phase is estimated to cost a staggering P17 billion.
For the first phase of the mixed-use integrated lifestyle resort development of Hann Reserve, it will feature the Banyan Tree luxury hotel and residences including an 18-hole Nicklaus designed golf course which is already taking shape and can be seen from the CRK-NCC Road. The golf course is the first of the three world-class courses and PGA-affiliated player development facilities that will rise in the integrated resort. It will also include a clubhouse and a 10-hectare public park with ancillary facilities.
Hann Resorts Chairman and CEO Daesik Han and South Korean professional golfer KJ Choi had recently inspected the work progress for the Hann Reserve where it will feature the KJ Choi Valley Course, a mountain course designed by Nicklaus Design, and the Sir Nick Faldo Signature river course.
Hann Reserve will also serve as home to global luxury hotel brands such as Banyan Tree and Angsana Resort, Sofitel and Emblems by Accor Group and The Luxury Collection and Westin by Marriott International.
In the first quarter of 2023, Hann Philippines, Inc. has already signed a P9 billion syndicated term loan agreement with Asia United Bank Corporation and Union Bank of the Philippines to partially finance the ongoing construction and development of Hann Reserve.
The first phase of Hann Reserve development is expected to be completed by next year, in time for the increasing tourism events at the NCC, among them the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fest (PIHABF).
Tourism Secretary Maria Esperanza Christina Frasco has committed to support the initiatives of Hann Philippines which are aligned with the DOT’s National Tourism Development Plan, aimed to further develop the tourism landscape in the Philippines.
Another tourism-related project that will feature a sustainable metropolis is the 288-hectare Filinvest New Clark City (FNCC), a smart metropolis that is expected to integrate ecology, technology, and architecture into one innovative community. It will feature the Innovation Park, a business hub that will house warehouses, factory facilities for logistics, e-commerce, light manufacturing, and data center operations of local and international businesses.
FNCC pushes design and functionality anchored on its eco-tech-ture philosophy. This functionality that takes care of the environment is expected to further raise the benchmark in the development of central business districts in the country.
Among others Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas seeks to establish a 31.3-hectare complex that will house a currency production facility. The proposed Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines is also seen to rise in the five-hectare area to support the government’s health programs.
The presence of educational institutions at the NCC is also expected to strengthen the capability of future workforce through education, research and skills-training. First to locate in the area includes the National Academy of Sports, University of the Philippines, and Philippine Science High School.
Meanwhile, the province of Tarlac led by Governor Susan Yap will pursue the development of a 47-hectare technology hub that will house hyperscale data centers, agro-industry, research and development, and logistics.
Yap has expressed optimism the techno hub will bring in investments and employment opportunities for Tarlaquenos. “It is our pride that New Clark City, a smart and sustainable metropolis, is strategically located in Tarlac.”
CONNECTIVITY
Tarlac province which is home to NCC will largely benefit from the influx of precious investments that will generate livelihood and employment opportunities to its residents.
Vital road network has provided for connectivity with multiple roads now linking Tarlac province particularly to the Clark International Airport, the jewel of the Clark Freeport Zone.
The now finished 19.83-km CRK-New Clark City Road that linked the two growth centers would further drive investments into Tarlac province.
For the 24th iteration of the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival, the CRK-NCC Road had been opened for the three-day event which left visitors to NCC in awe. “It’s like an extension of the panoramic SCTEX, said one visitor.
The orange-colored Sacobia Bridge connecting the Clark International Airport and NCC is expected to transport not only people but raw materials that be used by the increasing number of industrial hubs.
NCC is also connected to the SCTEX, NLEX, and the Tarlac-Botolan, Zambales mountain highway.
PIHABF’s NEW HOME
NCC is now the home of the annual Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fest, which is now on its 24th year.
The “Weekend of Everything that Flies” has kicked off on Friday, February 16, 2024, at the NCC, where 19 dirigibles once again dotted the sky of Central Luzon. The PIHABF’s 3-day tourism events also feature other attractions like the Flag Jump, skydiving, drone racing, paramotors formation flying, kite flying, Global Stars Team Aerobatic Pyrodisplay, Navy Helicopter Flight Display, Hot Air Balloon Night Glow, ultralight and microlight aircraft flybys, et cetera.
‘We want to share the joy of flying,” according to PIHABF event director and pilot Joy Roa, who has a TV show himself titled “Air Safari.”
The 24th PIHABF is now located more than 20 kilometers away from its former home in the Clark Freeport Zone, but is easily accessible via the CRK-NCC Road which is around 15 to 20-minute drive.
Businessman Rene Romero, a member of the Land Rover Club of the Philippines said 19 Land Rover vehicles had been fielded to chase and retrieve the balloons and pilots.
The holding of PIHABF is no longer feasible in the Clark Freeport Zone amid height restrictions and the increasing commercial flights at the Clark airport. For 2023, the Clark airport has posted 14,867 local and international flights, 5,821 local flights and 9,046 international flights. In the same year, these flights had carried 1,359,161 international passengers, and 640,381 local passengers for a total of 1,999,542 passengers in 2023.